Let’s Chat: Lessons from cats – Part 1

By Linda Tooth on October 29, 2025.

Have you heard of Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynolds? I had not until I went to River Bee Bookstore located in downtown Medicine Hat. You ask what is so special about Reynolds? Well, he wrote a book called Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism and with all that is going on in this world today I felt it was something I needed to purchase, and it’s about cats. So for all the people who do not like cats, you can skip my article.

Reynolds, is from Stratford, Ont. and is a comedian, writer, communications consultant and an online television show host. He is most noted for a 2017 KFC Canada video titled Explaining Canada Day to Americans. In almost two minutes, Reynolds explains what we as Canadians have to celebrate. You should check it out.

Anyway, let us get back to the lessons from cats we can use as we navigate these tumultuous times. First off, what is fascism? Well, Merriam-Webster defines it as “a populist political philosophy, movement or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual”. Merriam-Webster goes on to say that a “centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader” is also part of fascism.

So what do cats say we should do? Well, let’s begin with chapter one. This chapter tells us to stay nimble and unpredictable. Fascism expects predictability, so let us be unpredictable. Cats never let us know what their next move will be and we should follow suit.

Chapter two is all about never losing our nap time. Cats as we know are all about napping. As I am writing this column, my cat Jack is napping on the table right beside me. Yes, he is on the table.

Fascism believes that rest is a sign of weakness, cats believe it is a strategy. By overworking, overthinking, and overworrying, people living in a fascist country are too tired to fight back.

Cats do not believe in wasting their time on what Reynolds calls nonsense. Napping is a form of rebelling. In other words, be rested! Chapter three is about knocking things over strategically. Be disruptive, just like a cat.

Reynolds believes that cats are naturals at being disruptive. Jack recently jumped onto the fridge at my house and knocked over our wireless temperature station and broke it.

My partner now refers to him as Jackass. I feel that is a bit harsh, but he is the king of disruptiveness. Next up is chapter four and it is all about refusing to wear a collar.

Fascists are about control and in this book that is what collars represent. By wearing a collar, especially with a bell attached to it, we know when our cats are near.

Reynolds states that we need to be uncollared and be free. Chapter five deals with perfecting the art of disappearing. Reynolds believes that when fascists do not know where you are and what you are doing, panic sets in.

Disappearing is about power. You decide when and where you will be seen next. Just like a cat.

Next up is probably my favourite and that is chapter six. It is about demanding food with assertiveness. I love it!

Cat owners know cats are not quiet when they are hungry. Jack loves to start demanding his breakfast around 4am every day. I cannot remember the last time I set an alarm clock in my house, I have Jack. There is no sense closing the bedroom door at 4 a.m. as he just cries outside of it. So, I either get up and feed him or I do not sleep. So, for those living in a fascist environment, speak up and speak loudly.

Next week I will carry on with the remaining chapters in a book that has me laughing and loving my cats even more.

When this comes to print on Wednesday, I will be in Toronto for a work conference. This should be an interesting time in Toronto. Go Blue Jays!

Have a Meowtastic Day and keep reading.

Linda Tooth is a philanthropy and youth support worker, YMCA of Southeastern Alberta